Focal Length

13 May 2025 | 13 May 2025 | 2 min |

In this article :

Importance of Focal Length in Photography
Types of Focal Lengths
Prime vs. Zoom Lenses
Choisir la Bonne Focale
- Conclusion

Focal length, a key term in photography and optics, refers to the distance between the optical center of a lens or objective and its focal point, where light rays converge to form a sharp image. This measurement, typically expressed in millimeters, directly impacts the field of view, perspective, and magnification capability of captured images.

Importance of Focal Length in Photography

Framing Definition: Focal length determines the lens’s angle of view, affecting the portion of the scene captured. Short focal lengths offer a wide field of view, while long focal lengths allow for tight framing of distant subjects.
Perspective Control: Focal length also influences the perception of distance and depth in an image. Wide-angle lenses (short focal length) exaggerate perspectives, while telephoto lenses (long focal length) tend to flatten them.
Creative Selection: Choosing the right focal length allows photographers to manipulate these elements to create specific visual effects, play with depth of field, or isolate subjects from the background.

Types of Focal Lengths

Wide-Angle: Below 35mm, ideal for landscapes, architecture, and situations requiring a wide field of view.
Standard: Around 50mm, providing a perspective close to that of the human eye, suitable for various subjects, including portraits and street photography.
Telephoto: Above 70mm, used to capture distant subjects such as in sports or wildlife photography, offering significant magnification.

Prime vs. Zoom Lenses

Prime Lenses: Offer a single focal length, typically associated with better image quality, a larger maximum aperture, and lighter construction.
Zoom Lenses: Allow variable focal lengths, providing flexibility and convenience by covering a range of focal lengths without changing lenses.

Choisir la Bonne Focale

Le choix de la focale dépend de plusieurs facteurs, incluant le type de photographie envisagé, les conditions de lumière, et l’effet désiré. Les photographes doivent considérer :

Le Sujet et l’Environnement : Sélectionner une focale adaptée au sujet (portrait, paysage, action) et à l’espace disponible.
La Qualité d’Image Souhaitée : Privilégier les objectifs à focale fixe pour une qualité d’image optimale ou opter pour un zoom pour plus de polyvalence.
Le Budget : Les objectifs à focale fixe sont souvent plus abordables que les zooms de qualité équivalente.

Conclusion

Focal length is an essential aspect of photography, deeply influencing composition, perspective, and creative expression in images. Understanding its impact and knowing how to choose the right lens for your needs allows photographers to master their craft and create visually captivating works.

Écrit par Jérémy Carlo

Jérémy Carlo is the editorial director at Rétines, where he ensures the consistency and clarity of all content produced by the studio. His role goes beyond writing—he shapes the tone, structures the messages, and upholds a precise, demanding editorial line that stays true to the identity of Rétines. With a background in visual communication and solid experience in content strategy, he bridges the technical world of photography with clear, no-frills writing.

Jérémy works closely with photographers, art directors, and the commercial team to make sure every word published serves the image, the message, and the brand. From blog articles and client presentations to social media posts and internal documents—everything is filtered through his attentive eye. His strength lies in making complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying, and in highlighting the studio’s work without relying on unnecessary superlatives.

Through his writing, Jérémy helps Rétines exist beyond the image—by giving context to projects, emphasizing the thinking behind each shoot, and bringing to light the technical and aesthetic choices that drive each photograph.